Emile Pandolfi

Emile Pandolfi has built a reputation for his captivating stage presence and polished artistry. Although born in New York, he grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, where he began classical piano training at age five. He later completed a degree in piano performance yet moved into popular music to explore greater comedic range and adaptability. Those pursuits took him to performances in England and Australia before he established himself in Los Angeles, creating arrangements for dance, acting, and opera coaches as well as for cruise ships and dance clubs. His exacting standards led to selection as one of four pianists who recorded “Rhapsody In Blue” for the 1984 Olympics opening ceremonies; he also joined 84 pianists for the live presentation at the event. The experience opened doors into comedy, resulting in improv appearances with Bobcat Goldthwait, Jay Leno, Robin Williams, David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, and numerous others.

In the mid-’80s Pandolfi returned with his family to Greenville and held the post of resident pianist at a local club until 1993. During those years he completed his debut album By Request, which a national distributor acquired and issued in 1991. His recordings of Broadway show tunes, standards, and film scores have since sold nearly two million copies worldwide. Further releases include the well-regarded Please Welcome… (1993), Nights on Broadway (1994), and Evening Romance (2000).

Outside his primary musical work, Pandolfi created a United Way fundraiser in 1994 that featured a benefit concert drawing on his comedic skills and raised thousands of dollars for assorted charities.